Arbor Slater Carver Longboard Review

Out with the OLD and in with the NEW is what arbor did with the kelly slater edition longboard. The slater longboard used to be part of the flex series of arbor longboards which is their surf style longboard. It made for a nice smooth ride and flowing turns but it also made for a very expensive price tag with the fiberglass layers pressed into the board and the kelly slater name. What they have done this year to give it a new feel and keep the price a little lower with the recession in progress was press the slater graphic onto a carver series board which is maple wood with koa wood top layer. They also changed the color scheme of the graphic but keeping the same feel slater wanted on the longboard. The board was shortened by 1-inch and it is on a swallow-tail shaped deck similar to the surf board. It has the same width and wheelbase as the older board but it much more stiff and more responsive which makes it a better carving style longboard.

Recommended set-up:

The arbor slater longboard is best fitted with 9-inch gullwing charger trucks that allow a nice smooth carve and good stability. The 65mm arbor longboard wheels in the white color really make the graphic of the board pop and are a good choice. If you are looking for a higher end wheel look for some abec 11 grippins which will give more surface area and more friction for better carves. I would also recommened bones reds bearings as they have a good smooth feel and can be easily cleaned for a long lasting price point bearing!